"I strongly encourage our community to use this new service, as well as the others provided at BTV, so we can ensure our ability to retain and grow the exceptional level of air service to which we're accustomed," he said.

The airport previously offered a nonstop route to Charlotte, but stopped service to the American Airlines hub during the recession, officials said.

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger said the announcement marks another important step in the right direction for the airport and the region's economy.

"Burlington, our neighbors, and people all over Vermont are fortunate to have this added opportunity to more easily reach their business or personal travel destinations," Weinberger said.

Charlotte is one of the country's major hubs and American Airlines' second largest hub behind Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), according to the news release. The city is ranked eighth nationwide in passenger traffic according to the Airports Council International (ACI) rankings.

Republic Airlines will operate the new, daily service from Burlington to Charlotte under the US Airways Express Brand. The new flight complements existing fights from Burlington to both Philadelphia and Washington D.C., Richards said.

The first flight on the new route is scheduled to arrive in Burlington at 10:55 p.m. Aug. 18. The first flight on the route to leave Burlington for Charlotte is scheduled to depart at 8:05 a.m. on Aug. 19.

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